Fire
South Huntsville Apartment Fire Destroys 16 Units
An early fire at a South Huntsville apartment complex on Meadowbrook Drive displaced residents of 16 units on Oct. 6, the area's second such fire in 10 days.
Renter News Staff
The Renter News staff covers apartment fires and building emergencies, rent and housing-market data, tenant rights and housing policy across the United States. Stories are reported from public records, fire-department and government statements and other named sources, which are linked in each article. Read our editorial policy or contact the newsroom.
Stories by Renter News Staff
Rent & Market
Zillow: Rent Growth Speeds Up to 2.7% as Mortgage Rates Climb
Zillow's September report shows typical U.S. rent at $1,932, up 2.7% from a year ago, as high mortgage rates keep would-be buyers in the rental market.
Rent & Market
San Francisco Rents Surge While Texas Metros Keep Falling
Fall rent reports show San Francisco leading the nation in rent growth while San Antonio, Denver, Houston and Las Vegas see flat or falling prices for tenants.
Safety
E-Bike and Scooter Battery Fires in Apartments: Risks and Rules
Lithium-ion e-bike and scooter batteries cause deadly apartment fires. FDNY and CPSC data, certification rules and safe charging habits for renters.
Fire
Somerville Five-Alarm Fire Displaces 43 in Teele Square
A five-alarm fire tore through a mixed-use building in Somerville's Teele Square on Sept. 30, displacing 43 residents from 32 homes. A relief fund is open.
Renter Guides
How to Spot a Rental Listing Scam Before You Pay
FTC data show renters lost about $65 million to rental scams since 2020. Learn the red flags, how to verify a listing and where to report fraud.
Housing Policy
NYC Rent Freeze Takes Effect as Landlord Lawsuit Moves Ahead
New York City's rent freeze on about 1 million stabilized apartments began Oct. 1, while a landlord lawsuit continues. What stabilized tenants should know.
Housing Policy
New HUD Fair Market Rents Take Effect, Changing Voucher Limits
HUD's fiscal 2027 Fair Market Rents took effect Oct. 1, with a 2% weighted-average increase that resets how much rent Section 8 vouchers can cover.
Rent & Market
Apartment Vacancy Falls to 7% as Rent Market Shows Rebound Signs
Apartment List says vacancy fell to 7% in September and rents dipped only 0.1%, a smaller seasonal drop hinting that the renter-friendly market is cooling.
Tenant Rights
California Extends Emergency Rent Caps to Long-Term Leases
Gov. Newsom signed SB 1365, which brings leases longer than one year under California's 10% emergency price-gouging cap starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Tenant Rights
Landlord Repair Duties and the Warranty of Habitability
What the warranty of habitability means, how to request repairs in writing, and why withholding rent without following your state's rules can backfire.
Tenant Rights
Judge Pauses New York's Ban on Rent-Setting Algorithms
A federal judge blocked part of New York's law banning landlords from setting rents with algorithmic software like RealPage. Here's what it means for tenants.
Fire
Woodridge Apartment Fire Displaces 57, Damages 41 Units
A gas-fed fire at Windsor Lakes Apartment Homes in Woodridge, Illinois, burned for more than nine hours, damaging 41 units and displacing 57 residents.
Fire
Federal Way Apartment Fire Displaces 40; Cooking Blamed
An unattended stovetop fire at a Federal Way, Washington, apartment complex spread to the third floor on Sept. 24, displacing about 40 residents from 18 units.
Tenant Rights
How to Get Your Security Deposit Back: A Renter's Guide
Document move-in and move-out, know your state's return deadline, and dispute unfair deductions. Examples from California, New York and Texas law.
Safety
Apartment Fire Safety: Smoke Alarms, Escape Plans and Top Risks
NFPA and USFA data on why working smoke alarms matter, how to plan an apartment escape, and how to cut the biggest risks: cooking, space heaters and batteries.
Renter Guides
Renters Insurance After a Fire: Coverage, Loss of Use and Cost
What renters insurance pays after an apartment fire: belongings, liability and loss of use, plus replacement cost vs. cash value and typical premiums.
Renter Guides
After an Apartment Fire: A First-72-Hours Checklist for Tenants
Displaced by an apartment fire? A step-by-step checklist for the first three days: shelter, insurance, your landlord, documents, receipts and your lease.
Fire
Lightning Fire at Wesley Chapel Apartments Leaves 167 Displaced
A lightning strike set off a three-alarm fire at Cobalt Apartments in Wesley Chapel, Florida, destroying a building and displacing more than 160 residents.
Rent & Market
Shelter Inflation Eases to 3% as Rent Index Rises 2.7%
August CPI data show shelter inflation slowing to 3% and rent up 2.7% over the year, as gas prices kept overall inflation at 3.4%. What it means for renters.
Fire
Escondido Senior Apartment Fire Hospitalizes 5; Dogs Rescued
A second-floor fire at a senior apartment community in Escondido, California, sent five people to hospitals and temporarily displaced more than 30 residents.
Safety
CO Leak at Gaithersburg Apartments Sends 12 to Hospitals
A faulty oven caused a carbon monoxide leak at Streamside Apartments in Gaithersburg, Maryland, sending 12 people, including seven children, to hospitals.
Fire
Fort Worth Mariposa Park Apartment Fire Displaces About 50
A three-alarm fire at Mariposa Park Apartments in west Fort Worth damaged about 50 units and injured five people, including a firefighter, on Aug. 25.
Fire
San Jose Apartment Fire Displaces 13 Residents and Their Pets
San Jose apartment fire displaces 13 residents and pets, damages multiple units, and prompts Red Cross aid. Cause remains under investigation.
Fire
Memphis Apartment Fire Leaves 1 Dead, 4 Injured
Memphis apartment fire leaves 1 dead, 4 injured at Northlake Apartments. Find out what happened, who was affected, and how it started.
Fire
Attleboro Apartment Fire Leaves 24 Displaced
Attleboro apartment fire displaces 24, injures 1, and reveals suspected meth lab. A shocking day that shook a quiet neighborhood.
Fire
Chicago’s West Side Apartment Fire Full Story
Tragedy strikes in Chicago’s West Side apartment fire, leaving one man dead and dozens displaced as investigations continue.
Fire
Millcreek Apartment Fire Leaves 79 Without Homes
Massive Millcreek apartment fire displaces 79 people and destroys 24 units. Find out what happened and what renters can do to stay protected.
Fire
Sacramento Apartment Fire Leaves One Dead, Raises Questions
A Sacramento apartment fire led to a tragic death and criminal investigation after two small blazes revealed suspicious circumstances.
Fire
Canton Apartment Fire Under Investigation, Sends One to Hospital
One injured in Canton apartment fire at 800 5th St. NW. Quick response contained the blaze. Here's what happened and what you should know.
Fire
New London Apartment Fire – 4 Hospitalized, 50 Displaced
New London apartment fire displaces 50 and hospitalizes 4; full story on response, damage, and ongoing investigation.
Fire
Tucson Apartment Fire Displaces Seven, Sends One to Hospital
Tucson apartment fire displaces seven and sends one to the hospital. Here's what happened and how to protect your home.
Fire
Oakland Apartment Fire Erupts in Unoccupied Building
A new Oakland apartment fire reignites safety concerns after flames erupt in a vacant Chinatown building with a troubling fire history.
Fire
Concord Apartment Fire Leaves One Dead, Many Displaced
One dead and several displaced in the Concord apartment fire. Here’s what happened, what’s next, and how to stay prepared for emergencies.
Fire
Milwaukee Apartment Fire Leaves Child Dead, Mother Critical
Milwaukee apartment fire kills child, injures mother—exposing fatal gaps in fire safety for older buildings lacking sprinkler systems.
Fire
Charlotte Apartment Fire: One Dead and Dozens Displaced
Charlotte apartment fire kills 1, injures 6, and displaces families. Here's what happened, how crews responded, and what renters can learn.
Fire
Inside the Portland Apartment Fire Disaster
A Portland apartment fire displaces residents, injures 2, and leads to arrest. What happened, who’s responsible, and what renters can learn.
Fire
Apartment Fire in Orosi: 35 Displaced, a Community Rises
35 people displaced by apartment fire in Orosi. Community responds with donations, relief, and support amid investigation.
Fire
14 Residents Displaced After Santa Ana Apartment Fire
Santa Ana apartment fire displaces 14 residents; no injuries reported. Here’s what happened, what caused it, and how you can help.
Fire
Neenah Apartment Fire: Dozens of Residents Displaced
Neenah Wisconsin apartment fire displaces residents, damages units, and prompts response from multiple emergency crews early Monday morning.
Fire
Southwest Houston Apartment Fire Leaves 5 Injured
5 injured in Southwest Houston Apartment Fire. What happened, who was involved, and what it means for renters and safety in Houston.
Fire
Phoenix Apartment Fire Leaves One Man Critically Injured
Phoenix, AZ Apartment Fire leaves 2 injured, 3 displaced. Discover what happened, why it matters, and how renters can stay prepared.
Fire
Oswego Apartment Fire Leaves Nine Without Homes
Oswego Apartment Fire displaces 9 residents. Learn what happened, who responded, and what every renter and homeowner should know now.
Fire
Melvindale Apartment Fire Claims Life Of A 66-Year-Old Man
Melvindale Apartment Fire leaves 66-year-old man dead. Here's what happened and how renters can protect themselves from future tragedies.
Fire
Muirwood Lancaster Apartment Fire Displaces Families
The Muirwood Lancaster Apartment Fire left 8 units damaged. Learn what happened, who’s affected, and how renters can prepare today.
Fire
Aurora Apartment Fire Sparks Urgent Safety Reminder
Aurora apartment fire leaves 39-year-old woman dead; officials say blaze was accidental. Learn what happened and how renters can stay safe.
Fire
Villas on Springvale Apartment Fire Displaces 11 in San Antonio
Villas on Springvale Apartment Fire displaces 11, injures firefighter, and sparks safety concerns across San Antonio’s West Side.
Fire
Baldwin NY Apartment Fire: Nearly 200 Lives Disrupted
Baldwin NY Apartment Fire leaves nearly 200 displaced after electrical blaze destroys building on Merrick Road. Full story and aftermath.
Fire
Bronx Apartment Fire Leaves NYC Community Grieving
Bronx apartment fire leaves 1 dead, 9 injured, and residents displaced. Here’s what happened, and what’s next for the community.
Fire
Austin Apartment Fire: Tragedy, Investigation, and Takeaways
Austin apartment fire leaves 4 dead, dozens displaced; officials suspect arson as community seeks answers and safety solutions.
Fire
The Cooper Apartments Fire: Fort Worth’s Historic Blaze
The Cooper Apartments fire displaced 830+ residents in Fort Worth and sparked a rare six-alarm response. Here's what happened & what's next.